HRD Minister, Smriti Irani has urged and prompted the women scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) who form about 20 per cent of the entire workforce to work increasingly to work increasingly towards and favour girl education especially those living in rural areas so that they can enroll themselves for reputed educational institutions without facing much of financial and social constraints.

Nothing could have been a better move than this while commemorating the International Women’s Day at a national workshop on ‘women innovators for excellence in research and science winners’. Around 200 women scientists working in different laboratories had been a part of this workshop hosted by Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES). Eminent scientists and the Director of CFEES, Dr. Chitra Rajgopal here stressed on thoughtful efforts for equalising the opportunities for both the sexes at all areas and fields, in all sections of the society as well as the importance of innovation and the environment required for the same.

Iraani, it seems yearns to make a difference in the rural lives with her statements and also through the Udaan project that has already been launched so that the underprivileged girls can take part in entrance and competitive exams such as IIT-JEE and IIM exams.

DRDO women have now the responsibility of motivating girls, especially from the disadvantaged sections of the society to help them realize their dreams and lead others to the path of intellectual freedom. “Some of the brightest minds in DRDO can interact with girls who are trying to take flight,” she was quoted saying during the workshop.

Not only does Irani wish to witness girls from the lower strata of society joining the prestigious institutes and handling leadership positions through her Udaan initiative but also wants the intellectual women of the research institute to make their significant efforts for making the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ a success. This campaign has been launched to address the concerns that have been bothering women in rural India since a long time.

IITs and NITs have been dexterously working since last year when the Abhiyan was launched, to improvise upon the situation of the rural lives in India through advanced technologies specifically customized for use in villages.

Irani claimed that the ministry needed DRDO’s women’s support for their ‘Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan’ as well so that an interest is generated for science and mathematics among the rural population of the country, which had witnessed a decrease to a mere 30 per cent in the previous months.

Women scientists can truly be an inspiration for those innumerable girls who wait for miracles to happen to enable them to study at premier educational organizations along with students from other parts of the country and enjoy honourable degrees and positions.